Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers Game 6 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
The Philadelphia 76ers look to force a seventh and deciding game in their first-round NBA playoff series with the Boston Celtics when they hit the hardwood for Game 6 on Thursday night at Xfinity Mobility Arena.
The Sixers avoided elimination from the postseason with an impressive 113-97 win in Boston on Tuesday night, but have failed to earn a win on home court in this series and have claimed victory just once in their past seven postseason home dates with the Celtics.
Boston remains poised to claim a fifth straight first-round series win, and extend their playoff dominance over the 76ers with their seventh victory in eight overall visits to Philadelphia.
The Celtics look towards Game 6 as reduced 5.5-point favourites on the NBA odds, while the 76ers trail as improved +190 underdogs on the NBA moneyline, and the total is pegged at 212.5.
The Celtics also remain perched as massive -2500 chalk on the NBA series prices, while the Sixers trail as a +1100 bet to earn their first series win over Boston since 1982.
Celtics vs. 76ers NBA Betting Odds
The 76ers enjoyed a steady start in Game 5, seizing an early lead, but steadily faded as the contest progressed while scoring just 11 points in the final frame. The club has now been limited to just 97 points in each of their two defeats in the series and have averaged just 107.5 points over the past four games.
That extends a steady run for the UNDER, which has paid out in four of the firs five games of the series, and seven of Boston’s past 10 overall. The UNDER has also been a reliable bet when the Sixers play, going 14-3 in their past 17 overall, and 4-2 in their past six home dates.
However, the Celtics still sit among the favourites on the NBA futures, as a +110 bet to win the East and a +525 wager on the NBA championship odds. The Sixers remain well off the pace as a +6600 bet on the Conference championship futures and a +400 longshot on the NBA Finals odds.
Boston Celtics
Once again, a lack of secondary scoring emerged as a concern for the Celtics in Game 5. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have largely carried this squad so far in this series, and not much changed in Tuesday’s contest.
Tatum led the attack with a team-high 24 points and 16 rebounds, and has now tallied four double-doubles in the series, while Brown contributed 23 points, along with five boards and five assists. However, Payton Pritchard emerged as the only other Celtic shooter to reach double digits with 12 points.
Big man Neemias Queta has seen his numbers steadily improve as the series has progressed, and closed out Game 5 with 14 rebounds while playing 20+ minutes for just the second time in the series.
Philadelphia 76ers
The return of Joel Embiid has proven to be a tonic for the 76ers, but has he arrived in time to save this squad from yet another playoff series loss to the hated Celtics? Officially listed as probable for Thursday’s contest, Embiid showed no ill effects from his recent appendectomy as he piled up 33 points, eight helpers, and four boards in Game 5, while also going 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
With the Celtics double-teaming Embiid, opportunity has knocked for his Sixers teammates. Veteran Paul George enjoyed his most productive outing of the series with 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
Tyrese Maxey recorded 25 points to go along with 10 defensive rebounds for his first double-double since late February. Maxey went just 3-for-10 on threes, but the 25-year-old has averaged 9.3 three-point attempts per game during the series and is an attractive +480 bet on the NBA player props to score the first three-pointer of the night on Friday.
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